Not In Despair

We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair.  2 Corinthians 4:8

Despair is an easy thing to slide into, but entirely inappropriate for those who believe in Jesus our Lord! Paul reported being hard-pressed, in that proverbial space between the rock and a hard place, and yet he was not in despair. He confessed to being perplexed, but still not in despair. I don't have to guess that at some point in your life, you have been perplexed and hard-pressed just as Paul was in his time. But did you despair? That may have happened, Paul may not have succeeded in remaining despair free his first time either. In fact this may have been the 76th time he faced a tough test before he remembered the Lord Jesus and did not fall to despair. We sometimes think that Paul always got it right the first time out, but that is likely not the case. 

I pray that none of these are in despair now, dear Lord Jesus. And if they are, please rescue them quickly!

Bucky